Ep. 32: Beelzebub

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MATTHEW 9:32-34, MARK 3:22, MATTHEW 12:22-29; 46-50

But the raising of the dead at Nain put them on full alert and news of this reached the leaders at Jerusalem. There seems just sufficient time between this and the healing of the demonised dumb man for them to witness this significant event. They were ‘the Scribes which came down from Jerusalem.’ Whatever view the leaders at Jerusalem may have taken of the raising at Nain, it could no longer be denied that Jesus was a miracle worker. The Rabbis had seen miracles before, even the expelling of demons, but performing the miracle for them was not enough. By whose authority was the miracle performed? By what power, or in what Name, did he do these deeds?

Through what Power did Jesus do these works? They agreed that it was through that of Satan, or the chief of the demons. They regarded Jesus, as not only temporarily, but permanently, possessed by a demon. And this demon was, according to them, none other than Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. Thus, in their view, it was really Satan who acted in and through him and Jesus, instead of being recognised as the Son of God, was regarded as an incarnation of Satan.

All this was because his Kingdom was precisely the opposite of what they regarded as the Kingdom of God. As we have already seen, this was the foundation of their conduct towards the Person of Christ.

Their guilt lay in treating the Holy Spirit as if he was of the devil. This was because ‘they were of their father the Devil, and knew not, nor understood, nor yet loved the Light, their deeds being evil’.

And now we can also understand the growth in their active opposition to Jesus. Once they had decided that the miracles of Jesus were due to the power of Satan and that he was the representative of the Evil One, their course of action was clear. And so was his. From this point on, his attitude to them would be to denounce them. This hostile Judaism of theirs will now be under the judgment of condemnation. This is why he later wept over the Jerusalem that knew not the day of its visitation.

As ‘the multitude marvelled’ saying ‘it was never so seen in Israel,’ the Pharisees, without being able to deny the facts, had concluded that the casting out of the demon from the dumb man and all similar works, were done ‘through the Ruler of the Demons.’ This probably explains the visit of his mother and brothers. They feared for his safety, with the Pharisees stirring up such opposition against him.

It may seem here that Jesus was disrespectful of his family. There must have been a higher meaning in his words, that would be better understood after his Resurrection. It was now important to realise that earthly relationships, even to those nearest and dearest, would bow to their spiritual relationship. We must never forget that Jesus became like us, entering into earthly relationships solely for the sake of the higher spiritual relationships which he was going to bring. Thus, it was not that Jesus was disrespecting his mother, but that it was all about his mission; not for one moment would he neglect the will of his Father as a result of the attentions of his earthly mother. He is not condemning the mother, but rather he places the Father first and this is ever the right relationship in the Kingdom of heaven!

 This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)